It has been months after the coronavirus outbreak, and although some of us are lucky enough to be able to work from home, there are many essential workers on the frontlines who do not have that luxury. Whether you are in the field service industry, or if your business has recently been allowed back in office, protecting your workforce should still be top priority. This is especially so with new case hikes that are appearing alongside circuit breaker easing.

To help you create a safe work environment for your workforce, below are some simple yet effective precautionary measures you can use. 

Enforce safety guidelines

Every workplace should be stocked with personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies such as sanitisers and masks. For work environments where staff come into contact with crowds regularly, this is all the more critical. Where possible, set up a work procedure which implements social distancing and limits physical contact with customers. Routine disinfections should be carried out for surface areas which are often exposed to contact and if a staff has been reported sick.

Offer flexible work arrangements

Many companies may already have split team arrangements, but in the upcoming months where things are still uncertain, it is safer to look at long-term flexi-work arrangements. If Covid-19 has taught us anything, it is that adaptability is key to surviving as a business. In addition, you will want to have your staff sitting at a recommended distance away from each other.

Enable two-way, top-down communication

Companies should ensure their staff are keeping to safety regulations at work and that they understand the severity of the situation. Any changes to work procedures should be clearly communicated across to teams so there is no confusion. Supervisors can monitor staff well-being and staff should be encouraged to inform as soon as possible if they are feeling unwell, or have been in contact with people who are quarantine suspects.

Improve schedule planning

Plan work hours so your staff do not get overworked and become susceptible to falling sick. If your staff is travelling to a worksite, you can also plan routes efficiently to minimise travelling time in crowded places. If your staff is driving, remember to sanitise the car interiors and limit their contact with customers. 

Make use of technology

Field workforce management technology helps to protect your staff while increasing business productivity. You can use video calls to enable remote support between staff and customers and minimise contact instead of face-to-face meetings.

Work forms such as delivery orders, work order forms and inspections checklists can be digitalised so they can be sent to the back-office without your staff having to report back in person. Not to mention, they can save you time and prevent manual errors. And if you are collecting payment from your customers, e-invoices and contactless payment are a better alternative and will add to service quality.

Our work life may be disrupted by Covid-19, but that does not mean we are unable to adapt to changes and continue business as usual. V3 Smart Technologies understands this and how important a functioning workforce is to business continuity.

In light of the pandemic, we are working to help companies adopt remote work technologies in ensuring the safety of their people as well as maintaining service operations. If you are a business based in Singapore, you can view our IMDA approved Covid-19 promotional package here.